Detachable sponge holder with liquidsupply connection means



E. DRYDEN Dec. 22, 1964 DETACHABLE SPONGE HOLDER WITH LIQUID-SUPPLY CONNECTION MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 25. 1961 E. DRYDEN 3,161,905

DETACHABLE SPONGE HOLDER-WITH LIQUID-SUPPLY CONNECTION MEANS Dec. 22, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

Filed Jan. 25, 1961 INVENTOR. EVA DRYDEN United States Patent Office 3,61,905 DETCHABLE SPGNGE HLDER WETH LIGUE)- SUPPLY CGNNECTEN MEANS Eva Eryden, 637 Morelia Ave., North Hollywood, Calif. Filed Jan. 23, i951, Ser. No. 34,015 9 Claims. (Cl. l5-567) This application is a continuation-impart of my copending application, Serial No. 835,899, filed August 25, i959, now Patent No. 3,058,139. The present invention consists of an improved holder for a cleaning sponge of the type conventionally used for household cleaning, vautomobile cleaning, or the like, and normally consisting of a compressible, liquid-absorptive body of any of various different shapes dening a plurality of interconnected hollow cells having a high water-holding capacity. Conventionally, according to prior art practice, such a prior art cleaning sponge may be manually grasped for cleaning purposes or may be operated by a permanently attached holder which, therefore, necessarily' must he discarded along with the sponge when the sponge is worn out.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved holder for such a cleaning sponge which very effectively holds the sponge during any desired number of cleaning operations but which may be removed therefrom when the sponge becomes worn out so that a new sponge may be mounted on the holder for subsequent cleaning use.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a controllably detachable cleaning sponge holder which includes liquid-supply connection means which, in one preferred form of the invention, may comprise a water hose connection, or the like, `adapted to interiorly connect the sponge with respect to water owing from a controllable tap, faucet, valve, or the like, in a manner such that the water will penetrate the sponge outwardly whereby to edectively comprise an interiorly fed fountain or syringe type of cleaning sponge. it should be noted that various detergents, or the like, may be exteriorly applied or may be interiorly supplied along with the water. It will readily be understood that this type of fountain or syringe action cleaning sponge greatly facilitates a cleaning operation since it does not require repeated dipping into a pan of water, soap suds, detergent, or other cleaning solution, but may be applied directly to the surface to be cleaned, with reliance being placed upon the scrubbing action of the sponge and the flushing action of the water emitted therefrom to very rapidly bring about a highly eicient cleaning operation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved controllably detachable holder and interior liquid feeder for a cleaning sponge of the general type referred to above and including a shaft having a spongeinsertion end adapted to be inserted into the interior of a cleaning sponge and being effectively provided with retaining means for retaining it in said inserted position within the sponge whereby to provide a firm mechanical connection with respect thereto and also whereby to provide an interior communication with liquid iiow means carried by the shaft for interiorly supplying the sponge with liquid. It should be noted that the retaining means is of a character such as to allow controllable removal of the sponge-insertion end from within the sponge, when desired.

It is a further object to provide an improved controllably detachable sponge holder and interior liquid-feeding apparatus of the character referred to above, wherein the retaining means carried bythe sponge insertion end of the shaft comprises an insertion element adapted to be inserted into a cleaning sponge (usually through a slit lbl Patented Dec. 22, 1964 thereinto) to an interior position therewithin, and additionally includes fastening means removably effectively connecting the insertion element with respect to the sponge-insertion end and with respect to water supply conduit means carried by the sponge-insertion end.

It is a further object to provide an improved controllably detachable liquid-feeding sponge holder of the character referred to above, which additionally includes exterior washer means carried by the sponge-insertion end of the shaft and water supply means for exterior abutment with respect to an outside surface of a cleaning sponge in a position substantially parallel to the insertion element adapted to be positioned within the sponge.

lt is a further object to provide a controllably detachable water-feeding sponge holder of the character referred to above, which additionally includes hollow tubular mating alignment and water flow communication means effectively connected between said insertion element, the sponge-insertion end and the water supply means, and an exterior plate means parallel to said insertion element and spaced outwardly therefrom; said insertion end of said shaft and said water supply means being substantially at right angles and substantially centrally located with respect to one side of the cleaning sponge.

It is a further object to provide a controllably detachable water-feeding sponge holder of the character referred to above, wherein the fastening means comprises one or more threaded fastener means removably effectively connecting the insertion element to the exterior plate means` lt is a further object to provide a controllably detachable water-feeding sponge holder of the character referred to hereinbefore, wherein the retaining means cornprises a plurality of outwardly directed, spaced, resilient, deliectable lingers adapted to be inserted (usually through insertion slit means) into a cleaning sponge so as to be positioned near the center thereof and-to be rmly retained in said position by the outwardly directed spaced resilient fingers which cooperate with the interior portions of the sponge in a manner such as to provide an effective mechanical connection with respect thereto.

It is .a further object to provide a controllably detachable water-feeding sponge holder of the character referred to in the preceding object wherein the sponge-inserted end and said resilient fingers are effectively provided with aperture means in interior communication with the water supply conduit means of the shaft whereby to supply the interior of the cleaning sponge with water.

It is a further object to provide a controllably detachable water-feeding sponge holder wherein said shaft means is provided with a portion effectively comprising manually graspable handle means positioned exterior of the sponge in a convenient position for use in effectively holding the entire device and applying it to a surface to be cleaned and wherein said shaft means is also provided with a water supply connection or attachment means (usually comprising a threaded pipe fitting or the like, positioned at the opposite end of the shaft from the sponge insertion end thereof) adapted for attachment to water supply means whereby to interiorly feed water to the sponge in a manner which may be controlled, if desired, by manually adjustable valve means.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a controllably detachable liquid-feeding cleaning sponge holder of the type defined in any of the preceding objects, both individually or per se, and in combination with a cleaning sponge of virtually any desired shape such as flat, triangular, square, rectangular, round, or Various other configurations, both as to plan View and elevational view coniigurations.

It is a further object to provide a controllably detachable liquid-feeding cleaning spongeholder of the character set forth in any of the preceding objects which is of which follows hereinafter and will be apparent to personsV skilled in the art after a careful study thereof.

For the purpose of clarifying the nature of the presenty invention, several exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the hereinbelow-described figures of the accompanying drawings and are described in detail hereinafter.

FIG. l is an. oblique, partially broken-away view illustrating one exemplary embodiment of the present invention in operative relation with respect to a sponge.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional View taken in the direction of the arrows 2 2 of FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, oblique, partially broken-away view ,of a slightly modified form of the invention in operative relationship with respect to a sponge.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken in the direction of the arrows 4 4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary View illustrating the provision of digitally controllable valve means in the supply conduit means. This may be employed with any of the versions of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an oblique, partially broken-away view illustrating a further modification of the invention in operative relationship with respect to a sponge.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows 7--7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the complete device on a plane such as indicated by the arrows 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary top view taken on the horizontal plane containing the slit or slot in the sponge and with side portions of the sponge being shown in section. This view is for the purpose of` illustrating the insertion of the sponge-insertion end into the sponge by way of the slit or slot.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 but illustrates the sponge-insertion end and the resilient fingers after completion of the insertion operation into the sponge.

FIG. 1l is-an oblique, partially broken-away view illustrating a further modiiication of the invention in operative relationship with respect to a sponge.

FIG. 12 is an exploded, fragmentary, oblique view illustrating a further modiiication of the apparatus of thev present inventionemploying a different type of insert or. insertion plate or element from that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 but otherwise generally similar thereto.

FIG. 13` is a fragmentary, oblique view illustrating a' further modification of the apparatus of the present invention wherein the retaining means is very similar to that employed in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. However, the sponge in this form of. the invention is of a type comprising a door sponge ladapted to be operatedV remotely as a mop. Therefore,- the combination shaft means and handle-means in this` form of the invention is quite long` (shown fragmentarily in FIG'. 13') and is angularly connected with respect to the retaining meansand the sponge for convenient use in` to be pivoted into compressing relationship with respect.

to the sponge for expressing water therefrom when drying and/ or cleaning the sponge. Y

Referring` to FIGS. 1V and 2 for exemplaryv purposes, one illustrative embodiment of the invention takes a typical exemplary form wherein it comprises a shaft, in-A dicated generally at 2n, which is preferably made of molded plastic, or the like, although not so limited, and which has a sponge-communication end, indicated generally `at 21 which, in the example illustrated in FIGS.

d: 1 and `2, is substantially at right angles to the rear portion 23 of the shaft 20, and which includes a tip 22.

It should be noted that the rear portion 23- of the shaft, indicated generally at 20, actually comprises a handle means and that the complete shaft, indicated generally at 2t), is formed of a hollow pipe or conduit having a hollow interior whereby to effectively provide liquid supply conduit means 24 terminating at the apertured tip 22, which is., adapted to be placed in interior communication with a sponge, suchy as that shown at 25, and terminating at the other end in a water supply connection or attachment means 26, whichl is shown as comprising a conventionall interiorly threaded female. pipe fitting which is adapted to be threadedly connected to a corresponding male exteriorly threaded pipe fitting 27 carried by a water supply or other liquid supply hose 2S, which may be connectedV to any suitable source of water or other liquid under pressure, and through suitable control valve means, if desired.

The invention also includes retaining means adapted to be elfectively connected to the sponge-communication end 21 of the combinationl shaft-handle Ztl, andV water supply conduit means 24 and'adapted to effectively fasten the sponge-communication end 21 in interior communication with the sponge 25 in the mannerV best shown in FIG. 2.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. l and 2, said retaining means is indicated generally at 29 and comprises an insertion element or plate 30 which is adapted to be inserted into the interior of the spongeV 25 either by being forced thereinto or by being inserted" thereinto through an insertion slit or slot 31' until the insertion element or plate 30 is in the proper fully inserted position within the sponge 25, after which it is effectively fastened to the sponge-communication end 21 of the combination shaft-handle 29 and water-supply conduit means 24 by. hollow threaded fastener means 32, which is shown, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, as being headed at its lower end whereby to engage at its headed lower end, a hole 33 in the insertion element or plate 30, and which is shown as being exteriorly threaded at its upper end Ywhereby to threadedly engage the interior threads 34 carried by the hollow interior of the spongecommunication end 21, with an exterior washer or element 35 interposed between the end of the tubular sponge-communication end'Zl and the upper outer surface 36 of the sponge 2S in a position substantially parallel to the inner insertion element or plate 30 inv a manner such as to grip a portion ofY thek sponge 25,

therebetween, thus providing a very firm, but controllably disengageable, attachment of the entire combination shaft-handle Ztl and liquid supply conduit means. 24 with respect to the interior of the sponge 25 whereby the handle 23,may be used for applying the surface 37 of the sponge to any object which is to he cleaned, and whereby water or other cleaning liquid may beY supplied through the conduit 24 to the interior of the sponge so that it will flush away debris and dirt from the surface `which isbeing cleaned by the sponge.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a. slight modification of the. first form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. l and 2. In this modification of the invention, parts similar to those described and illustrated in the iirst form of the invention are designated by similar reference numerals, followed by the letter A, however'.

In this modification, the retaining means analogous to the previously-described retaining means 29 of the first form of the invention is indicated at 29A and comprises the insertion element or plate 30A is providedy with an upwardly directed hollow tubular element 38 which connects to an apertureiSSA in the plate 30A andV which is adapted to mate with the hollow tubular spongecommunication and sponge-insertion end 21A, which, in this modification of the invention, is not interiorly Vthreaded as in the rst form ofV the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This provides an arrangement which effectively centers the exterior plate 35A with respect to the inner insertion plate 39A which, at the same time, communicating the interior of the conduit 24A with the interior of the sponge 2SA by way of the hollow interior of the tubular element 33 and the hole 33A.

Also, in this modification, the exterior plate 35A and the interior insertion plate 39A are fastened to each other in the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 by a plurality of threaded fastener means 32A functionally equivalent to the fastener 32 shown in the first form of the invention, but in this modification comprising solid threaded screws interconnecting the exterior and interior plates 35A and 39A whereby to provide a very firm attachment of the combination shaft-handle 29A and liquid-supply conduit means 24A with respect to the cleaning sponge 25A, and doing so in a manner which feeds water or other cleaning liquid to the interior of the sponge 2SA in an easily controllable manner.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view illustrating a typical combination shaft-handle 26B and liquid-supply conduit means 24B (similar to those shown at 20A in FIGS. l and 2 and shown at 29A in FIGS. 3 and 4) wherein digitally controllable valve means, indicated generally at 39, is included in the liquid supply conduit means 24B. The valve means 39 is positioned in a conveniently digitally accessible position for use by a person grasping the handle 23B during use of the apparatus for cleaning a surface. This makes it possible for the user to regulate the supply of liquid or water fed to the sponge during an actual cleaning operation. It should be clearly noted that such a control valve arrangement 39 may be incorporated in either the first form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, and in any of the subsequent forms of the invention described hereinafter and illustrated in other figures of the drawings. In this modification of the invention, parts similar to those described hereinbefore and illustrated in earlier versions of the invention are designated by similar reference numerals, followed by the letter B, however.

FIGS. 6 1() illustrate a slight mo-dication of the invention wherein the retaining means analogous to that previously described and illustrated in the first form of the invention at 29 and in the second form of the invention at 29A, is indicated generally by the reference numeral 29C and comprises the sponge-communication and sponge-insertion end 2lC which is actually directly inserted into the insertion slit 31C into the interior of the sponge 25C in lieu of the insert plate 3) shown in the rst form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. l and 2 and in lieu of the insert plate SSA shown in the second form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this modification corresponding parts are indicated by similar reference numerals, followed by the letter Cf however.

It will be noted that, in this modification of the invention, the sponge-insertion end 21C is provided with a plurality of outwardly directed spaced resilient fingers 4l) adapted to be inserted through the insertion slit means SIC into the interior of the cleaning sponge 2SC, which is allowed by reason of resilient rearward bending or deflection of said fingers 4d in the manner shown in FIG. 9 during the insertion operation. However, it should be noted that, after completion of the insertion operation, the elastic fingers 4@ normally assume a position substantially such as shown in FIG. l() wherein they project outwardly into firm engagement with interior portions of the sponge 2SC adiacent to the slit SIC. This effectively comprises the modified retaining means 29C. It should further be noted that the sponge-insertion end 21C, which carries the fingers 4Q, is hollow, as are the fingers 40, and that they are provided with aperture means 4l whereby to provide effective communication with the liquid supply conduit means 24C, which now takes the form of a handle which may be directly used or which may -threadedly engage a rigid extension handle H of a type generally similar to a mop handle, or the like (though hollow) and which is adapted to be connected to a water supply hose, or the like, whereby to feed water to the interior of the sponge 25C in the general manner described hereinbefore.

FIG. 11 illustrates a further modification of the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6-10 wherein the exterior liquid supply conduit portion 24D is folded back so as to lie in a plane closely adjacent to one surface 36D of the sponge 25D and is so shaped as to effectively provide a manually graspable handle 23D lying right over the surface 36D of the sponge 25D. The rear end of the combination handle 23D and liquid supply conduit means 24D is provided with a connection fitting 26D adapted to be connected to a Water supply hose in the manner described hereinbefore. This modification of the invention has an insertion end 21D within the sponge 25D identicd to the hollow insertion end 21C and the' hollow perforated elastic fingers 40 shown in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6-10, thus effectively comprising a retaining means 29D similar to that shown at 29C in the previously-described form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6-10. In this modification of the invention, parts similar to those described hereinbefore and illustrated in earlier versions of the invention are designated by similar reference numerals, followed by the letter D, however.

FIG. l2 illustrates a slight modification of any of the retaining means previously described, such as shown at 29A in the first form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. l and 2, and of any of the corresponding insert elements or plates, such as shown at 30 in the first form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and shown at 39A in the second form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this modification corresponding parts are indicated by similar reference numerals, followed by the letter E, however.

It will be noted that, in this modification, the insertion plate 3dB is provided with a plurality of outwardly directed spaced resilient fingers 40E generally similar to those illustrated at 4G in the modification of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6-l0 except that they are not hollow. The resilient fingers 49E are adapted to be inserted through the insertion slit means SIE into the interior of the cleaning sponge 25E and to there be retained in the same manner as described in detail hereinbefore in connection with the engagement of the resilient fingers 46 within the slit 31C as illustrated in the modification of the invention shown in FIGS. 6-10. It should be clearly noted that this modification of the insert plate 3i) or 36A may be included in either of the earlier forms of the invention described in detail hereinbefore and illustrated in FIGS. l and 2 and in FIGS. 3 and 4. It should be clearly understood that this modification of the invention includes a washer E substantially identical to the washer 35 shown in the first form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. l and 2 except for the fact that it is of circular disc-shaped configuration rather than substantially rectangular. Also, in this modification the sponge 25E is adapted to be gripped between said washer 35E and the insertion plate 36E in a manner similar to that of the corresponding elements 35 and 3) of the first form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. l and 2 and described in detail hereinbefore. This is accomplished by the hollow threaded fastener means or screw 32E, which is adapted to be passed upwardly through the aperture 33E in the insertion plate 30E and then through the aperture in the Washer 35E and into interior threaded engagement with the interior threads 34E carried by the hollow interior of the sponge-communication end ZIE of the member 23E. This is all substantially identical to the showing of the corresponding elements in the first form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and described in detail hereinbefore.

FIG. 13 illustrates a further modification of the invention generally quite similar to the form illustrated i in FIGS. 3 and 4- except that the sponge 25F is substantially longer than the sponge A shown in FIGS. 3 and 4V sincey it is intended for oor mopping use and is intendedi to.v sweep over a substantial transverse width. during use. Furthermore, in this modication of the invention the insertion element P is provided with resilient fingers 40F of the type illustrated in FIG. l12 and adapted to positively retain said insertion element 30P within the slot 31F, which, incidentally, is positioned at the end of the sponge 25F. The insertion element 30P is fastened tothe upper exterior plate SSF (which corresponds to the plate A shown in the second form of the invention illustratedy in FIGS; 3 and 4) by a plurality of threaded fastener means 32P' quite similar to thel functionally analogous threaded fastener means 32A shown inthe second form off the invention-illustrated in FIGS. 3- and 4 and previous-Y 1yl described in detail. However, in this modication they comprise upwardly directed headed screws (rather Vthan downwardly directed screws as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) and wing -nuts engaged with the upper threaded ends thereof as is clearly shown in FIG. 13'. The connection of the sponge communication end'ZIF of the shaft ZdF with respect to the insertion element Stil-T within the sponge 2'5F is substantially identical to that shown in the second form oitheinvention previously described in detail and illustratedy in FIGS. 3V and 4. This is particularly well shown in FIG. 4. It should be understood that the only difference of the correspo-nding parts in FG. 13 is the angular` inclination thereof required by reason of the angular position of the shaft means ilF with respect to the. sponge ZSF. vOtherwise the connection is identical to the showing of FIGS. 3 and 4. Also, in this modication yof the invention, the sponge-communication end MF is upwardly angularly rearwardly directed and merges into and comprises a part of the shaft ZtF, which contains the liquid-supply means 24F therein and which is of a length substantially equivalent to the length of a conventional mop handle so that it may be applied remotely by a person standing up'while the sponge ZSF rests upon a door surface which is to be cleaned; The upper end ofthe shaft means: 20F is-of course provided with a fitting 2613 for convenient attachment -to a hose in the manner shown in FIG. 1. Also, this modification of the invention may include valve means, such as that shown at 3912, for controlling the ow of water to the sponge ZSF.

The rear edge of the upper exterior plate 35E is provided with hinge means 42 adapted to hingedly carry a sponge-compression member 43, which normally has its free end attached, as indicated at 4d, to thel shaft 20F but which can be hingedly swung downwardly therefrom into a contact position for compressing the sponge ZSF in` order to express water therefrom, when desired.

It should be noted that this modification of the invention may employ any of the different types of retaining means of the various forms of the present invention.

In this modiiication of the invention, parts similar to those describedV hereinbefore and illustrated in earlier versions of the invention are designated by similar reference numerals, followed by the letter R however.

It should be further be noted that the elements of the present invention may be made of plastic,'metal, or any other suitable material.

It should be understood that the gures and the specifici decription thereof set forth in lthis application are for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention to the precise and detailed speciiic structure shown in the figures and specically described hereinbefore. Rather, the real invention is intended to include substantially equivalent constructions embodying the basic teachings and inventive concept of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A detachable sponge holder comprising: handle meansv including .liquid-supply means, said handle means and liquid-supply means having a sponge-communication diei-,eee

end adapted to be placed in communication with the interior of a unitary cleaningv sponge having a substantially flat front cleaning surface, a substantially at back surface portion rearwardly spaced therefrom and a transverse end portion provided with a fiat blind slit extending into said sponge froman opening in said transverse end portion and lyingV in a plane substantially parallel to said front cleaning surface of said sponge, said sponge-communication end of saidhandle means and said liqiud-supply means being provided with retaining means for retaining said sponge-communication end in said interior communication with said cleaning sponge and providing a rm mechanical connection of said sponge-communication end with respect to said sponge and an interior communication ofV said liquid-supply means with said interior of said sponge for interiorly supplying said sponge with liquid in a controllable manner; said handle means and liquidsupply means being provided with liquid-supply connection and attachment means; said retaining'means carried by said sponge-communication end of said handle means and liquid-supply means comprising a substantially flat, spatulate insertion element removably insertable through said opening in said transverse end surface of said cleaning sponge into said dat blind slit so as to lie in a plane rearwardly spaced from, and substantially parallel with respect to, said flat front cleaning surface of said sponge and forwardly spaced from said back surface portion of said sponge, said retaining means also including threaded fastener means transversely engageably directed with respect" to-said dat spatulate insertion element and extending rearwardiy therefrom for effective and controllably engageable and disengageable fastening cooperation with respect to said sponge-communication end of said handle means and liquid-supply means substantially at right angles and centrally located with respect to said back surface portion of said sponge, said retaining means also including sponge-abutment means carried by said sponge-communication endy of said handie means and liquid-supply means positioned for forcibleexterior abutment with respect to a substantialY area of said back surface portion of said .cleaning sponge in a position substantially parallel to said insertion element adapted to be positioned within said cleaning sponge in said iat blind slit therein.

2. A device of the character dened in claim 1, wherein said handle means and said liquid-supply means together comprise a water dow duct means.

3. Ardevice as deined in'claim 1 wherein said threaded fastener means Vcomprises a hollow threaded and headed fastener carried by said fiat, spatulate insertion element in a rearwardly and lsubstantially perpendicularly directed relationship with respect thereto extending toward said rear surface portion of said cleaning sponge andk also comprises cooperating threaded means carried by said sponge-communication end of said handle means and liquid-supply means, said sponge-abutment means comprising washer means carried by said sponge-communication end of said handle means and liquid-supply means and positioned for said forcible exterior abutment with said substantial area of said back surface portion of said cleaning sponge when said threaded fastener is threadedly engaged with said threaded means carried by said spongecommunication end whereby to trmly clamp a rear portion of, said sponge of substantial area between said dat spatulate insertion element and said rearwardly spaced parallel washer means. v

4. A device as dened in claim 1, wherein said retaining means alsoineludes hollow tubular mating alignment means carried by said dat, spatulate insertion element in a rearwardly extending direction and in liquid-tiow-conncction: with respect to said sponge-communication end of said handle means and'liquid-supply means, said spongeabutment means. comprising exterior plate means carried by said sponge-communication end and positioned parallel to said vhat spatulate insertion element, spaced rearwardly therefrom and positioned in said forcible exterior abutment with said back surface portion of said cleaning sponge, said threaded fastener means comprising a plurality of threaded fasteners interconnecting said exterior plate means and said insertion element in a direction transverse to the plane in which said flat insertion element lies and extending rearwardly therefrom whereby to removably effectively and firmly connect said insertion element to said sponge-communication end of said handle means and liquid-supply means in said substantially right angular and centrally positioned relationship with respect to said back surface portion of said cleaning sponge.

5. A device as defined in claim l wherein said fiat, spatulate insertion element is provided with a plurality of outwardly directed, spaced, resilient-fingers adapted to be inserted along withthe rest of said flat, spatulate insertion element into said flat, spatulate blind slit in said sponge and cooperable to there be firmly retained by said outwardly directed, spaced, resilient fingers within the sponge whereby to provide a firm mechanical connection with respect thereto.

6. A detachable sponge holder comprising: a unitary cleaning sponge having a substantially flat front cleaning surface, a substantially flat back surface portion rearwardly spaced therefrom and a transverse end portion provided with a flat blind slit extending into said sponge from an opening in said transverse end portion and lying in a plane substantially parallel to said front cleaning surface of said sponge; handle means including liquid-supply means and a sponge-communication end in liquid-How communication with the interior of said cleaning sponge and provided with retaining means for retaining said sponge-communication end in said interior liquid-flow communication with said cleaning sponge and for providing a firm, mechanical connection of said sponge-communication end with respect to said sponge; said handle means and liquidsupply means being provided with liquid-supply connection and attachment means; said retaining means carried by said sponge-communication end of said handle means and liquid-supply means comprising a substantially fiat, spatulate insertion element removably insertable through said opening in said transverse end surface of said cleaning sponge into said flat blind slit and retained therein in a plane rearwardly spaced from, and substantially parallel with respect to said fiat front cleaning surface of said sponge and forwardly spaced from said back surface portion of said sponge, said retaining means also including threaded fastener means transversely directed and engaged with respect to said dat spatulate insertion element and extending rearwardly therefrom for eective and controllably engageable and disengageable fastening coopera.- tion with respect to said sponge-communication end of said handle means and liquid-supply means, with said sponge-communication end of said handle means and liquid-supply means communicating with, and effectively entering said back surface portion of said sponge substantially at right angles and centrally located with respect to said back surface portion of said sponge means, said retaining means also including sponge-abutment means carried by said sponge-communication end of said handle means and liquid-supply means positioned for forcible exterior abutment with respect to a substantial area of said back surface portion of said cleaning sponge in a position substantially parallel to said insertion element positioned within said cleaning sponge in said dat, blind slit therein.

7. A device as defined in clm'm 6 wherein said threaded fastener means comprises a hollow threaded and headed l0 fastener carried by said fiat, spatulate insertion element in a rearwardly and substantially perpendicularly directed relationship with respect thereto extending toward said rear surface of said cleaning sponge and also comprises cooperating threaded means carried by said sponge-communication end of said handle means and liquid-supply means, said sponge-abutment means comprising washer means carried by said sponge-communication end of said handle means and liquid-supply means and positioned in forcible exterior abutment with said substantial area of said back surface portion of said cleaning sponge when said threaded fastener is threadedly engaged with said threaded means carried by said sponge-communication end whereby to firmly clamp a rear portion of said sponge of substantial area between said flat spatulate insertion element and said rearwardly spaced parallel washer means.

8. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said retaining means also includes hollow tubular mating alignment means carried by said flat, spatulate insertion element in a rearwardly extending direction and in liquid-ow-connection with respect to said sponge-communication end of said handle means and liquid-supply means; said spongeabutment means comprising exterior plate means carried by said sponge-communication end and positioned parallel to said flat spatulate insertion element, spaced rearwardly therefrom and positioned in said exterior forcible exterior abutment with said back surface portion of said cleaning sponge, said threaded fastener means comprising a plurality of threaded fasteners interconnecting said exterior plate means and said insertion element in a direction transverse to the plane in which said yflat insertion element lies and extending rearwardly therefrom whereby to removably effectively and firmly connect said insertion element to said sponge-communication end of said handle means and liquid-supply means in said substantially right angular and centrally positioned relationship with respect to said back surface portion of said cleaning sponge.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said fiat, spatulate insertion element is provided with a plurality of outwardly directed, spaced, resilient `fingers adapted to be inserted along with the rest of said flat, spatulate insertion element into said flat, spatulate blind slit in said sponge and cooperable to there be firmly retained by said outwardly directed, spaced, resilient 'fingers within the sponge whereby to provide a firm mechanical connection with respect thereto.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 862,826 8/07 Kicren 251-310 1,216,239 2/17 Loueli l5-536 X y1,218,081 3/17 Hahn 15-244 X 1,367,758 2/2-1 Strieff 15-244 2,496,033 1/50 Berry 15-567 2,537,784 l/Sl Nord l5--569 2,602,948 7/52 Kautenberg 15--567 2,618,002 -ll/SZ Bowman et al 15-569 2,708,282 5/55 Vaughn 15-244 2,769,995 l1/56 Klein 15-244 2,915,768 l2/59 Hall 15-145 2,940,103 6/ 60 Czapar l5-567 X 2,967,042 l/61 Richter 251-181 FOREIGN PATENTS 46 6,474 7/ 5 0 Canada.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primaly Examiner. 

1. A DETACHABLE SPONGE HOLDER COMPRISING: HANDLE MEANS INCLUDING LIQUID-SUPPLY MEANS, SAID HANDLE MEANS AND LIQUID-SUPPLY MEANS HAVING A SPONGE-COMMUNICATION END ADAPTED TO BE PLACED IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR OF A UNITARY CLEANING SPONGE HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT FRONT CLEANING SURFACE, A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT BACK SURFACE PORTION REARWARDLY SPACED THEREFROM AND A TRANSVERSE END PORTION PROVIDED WITH A FLAT BLIND SLIT EXTENDING INTO SAID SPONGE FROM AN OPENING IN SAID TRANSVERSE END PORTION AND LYING IN A PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID FRONT CLEANING SURFACE OF SAID SPONGE, SAID SPONGE-COMMUNICATION END OF SAID HANDLE MEANS AND SAID LIQUID-SUPPLY MEANS BEING PROVIDED WITH RETAINING MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID SPONGE-COMMUNICATION END IN SAID INTERIOR COMMUNICATION WITH SAID CLEANING SPONGE AND PROVIDING A FIRM MECHANICAL CONNECTION OF SAID SPONGE-COMMUNICATION END WITH RESPECT TO SAID SPONGE AND AN INTERIOR COMMUNICATION OF SAID LIQUID-SUPPLY MEANS WITH SAID INTERIOR OF SAID SPONGE FOR INTERIORLY SUPPLYING SAID SPONGE WITH LIQUID IN A CONTROLLABLE MANNER; SAID HANDLE MEANS AND LIQUIDSUPPLY MEANS BEING PROVIDED WITH LIQUID-SUPPLY CONNECTION AND ATTACHMENT MEANS; SAID RETAINING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SPONGE-COMMUNICATION END OF SAID HANDLE MEANS AND LIQUID-SUPPLY MEANS COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT, SPATULATE INSERTION ELEMENT REMOVABLY INSERTABLE THROUGH SAID OPENING IN SAID TRANSVERSE END SURFACE OF SAID CLEANING SPONGE INTO SAID FLAT BLIND SLIT SO AS TO LIE IN A PLANE REARWARDLY SPACED FROM, AND SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL WITH RESPECT TO, SAID FLAT FRONT CLEANING SURFACE OF SAID SPONGE AND FORWARDLY SPACED FROM SAID BACK SURFACE PORTION OF SAID SPONGE, SAID RETAINING MEANS ALSO INCLUDING THREADED FASTENER MEANS TRANSVERSELY ENGAGEABLY DIRECTED WITH RESPECT TO SAID FLAT SPATULATE INSERTION ELEMENT AND EXTENDING REARWARDLY THEREFROM FOR EFFECTIVE AND CONTROLLABLY ENGAGEABLE AND DISENGAGEABLE FASTENING COOPERATION WITH RESPECT TO SAID SPONGE-COMMUNICATION END OF SAID HANDLE MEANS AND LIQUID-SUPPLY MEANS SUBSTANTIALLY AT RIGHT ANGLES AND CENTRALLY LOCATED WITH RESPECT TO SAID BACK SURFACE PORTION OF SAID SPONGE, SAID RETAINING MEANS ALSO INCLUDING SPONGE-ABUTMENT MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SPONGE-COMMUNICATION END OF SAID HANDLE MEANS AND LIQUID-SUPPLY MEANS POSITIONED FOR FORCIBLE EXTERIOR ABUTMENT WITH RESPECT TO A SUBSTANTIAL AREA OF SAID BACK SURFACE PORTION OF SAID CLEANING SPONGE IN A POSITION SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID INSERTION ELEMENT ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED WITHIN SAID CLEANING SPONGE IN SAID FLAT BLIND SLIT THEREIN. 